Bay Area Chinese Churches Project – Phase 2

Good morning pastors!

I’m sending this email to everyone on our invitation and contact list so that you can all be updated about the final details regarding the pastors retreat for English ministry pastors next Monday and Tuesday. Whether you can come or not, please pray for the retreat. We trust that God will use it in a manner than not only strengthens the participants, but also provides greater encouragement for the future of English ministries in Bay Area Chinese churches.

1. Today is the last day to register for the retreat!
Please register on-line here:

Download brochure (1.4 MB pdf)

We will try to make last minute accommodations if you should decide to register afterwards. Please contact Johnson Chiu at (925) 803-0690 or email him at this link.

2. What to expect and bring to San Damiano Retreat Center.
If you are visiting San Damiano for the first time, check out their website: http://sandamiano.org/ This Roman Catholic retreat center is located at 710 Highland Drive, Danville, CA 94526. It is nestled atop the hills overlooking Danville – a really beautiful view. When you arrive at 10 AM on Monday, look for “TLC-ISAAC Pastor Retreat” signs. Now some details:

• Dress casually. It is usually warm at the retreat center, but the meeting rooms and bedrooms are air conditioned.
• If you have any dietary restrictions, please let Johnson know immediately.
• Only the office has WiFi internet access (as far as I remember). There are coffee shops in Danville that provide internet access.
• Each participant will have his/her own private room. Sheets, blankets, towels, and soap are provided (you may want to bring shampoo, however)
• Bring a resource (book, DVD, etc.) to share that you have found helpful to you (it can be something that helped you personally or helped you grow as a leader/pastor)
• Think about and bring some ideas about what kinds of resources would most benefit your ministry and layleaders.
• Think about and bring ministry-related issues that you would like to have discussed.
• Invoices for those who have registered will be email to you later today. You may pay with your credit card on-line via PayPal (details will be sent with the email) or bring a check with you to the retreat that is written out to “ISAAC.”
• So far 15 person are officially registered (including a couple who can only attend one day). There are several others who have indicated that they are coming but have not yet registered – please register on line today!
• If you have a last minute change of plans or are delayed, call me at my cell phone (510) 909-6849 – not Johnson. Johnson is facilitating the retreat. I’m handling logistics.

3. What to look forward to after the retreat.
ISAAC and TLC would like the retreat to be a catalyst for strengthening congregations and pastors in Asian American settings. Though we are focusing on Chinese churches English Ministries this time, we hope to serve the Chinese speaking and other Asian ministries, too. After the retreat, we envision the following:

• That most, if not all, pastors at the retreat would participate in The Leadership Connections peer-to-peer ministry groups in the upcoming year.
• That another retreat or gathering of English ministry pastors can be organized for those who could not attend this retreat.
• That pastors and their churches (and para-church ministries) would partner with ISAAC in developing an equipping and resource center (the E.R.) for Chinese (and other Asian) laity in the Bay Area.
• That pastors of Chinese speaking ministries, with sensitivity to the inter-cultural realities of Chinese churches in the Bay Area, would begin to partner with TLC, ISAAC, and each other to promote peer-to-peer ministry groups with TLC and develop resources for the Chinese (and Asian) American church with ISAAC.

I believe that God has given us a special opportunity to partner together for the kingdom! As you get better acquainted with ISAAC, TLC, and each other, I’m certain that you’ll feel the same! I look forward to seeing many of you next week. Have a great weekend!

Blessings,
Tim

Important Weblinks:
San Damiano Retreat Center: http://sandamiano.org/
The Leadership Connection: http://tlcinc.org/
ISAAC: http://isaacweb.org/
–
Timothy Tseng 曾 祥 雨 :: phd
President & Executive Director
Institute for the Study of Asian American Christianity
Adjunct Professor, University of San Francisco